living well on less…

Monthly Archives: June 2011

I’m writing this blog to keep up with all the ways in life one can be what I like to call “budget glamorous.” That’s a term I use to describe not only living frugally but living well.

I spent some time as a single mama where I had maybe two dimes to rub together after paychecks. Even now as a teacher in the higher education system, I don’t make that much money at all. I’m a 9 month contract worker, basically, and I have to stretch out for 12 months what I make in 9 — which is below the market average. One thing I hated was feeling poor. I like saving money and I like finding deals. It doesn’t bother me that I live in a small house when other people are overextending themselves on McMansions. It doesn’t bother me that I cannot go out to eat every night of the week. What does bother me is feeling as though my life is somehow the poorer because I make less money. Talking with others about that feeling surprised me. I found out plenty of people feel that way. It’s not so much what you have, but how you feel about what you have that makes all the difference.

Everyone’s definition of budget and glamour will obviously be different. Some people have been freecycling for years, can their own food, etc. etc. and for others like me, it can mean something like figuring out how to make your black trench coat nice again after it’s lost some buttons and a sash or two. Easy for someone else — a challenge for a home economics clutz like me. I’m hoping that by sharing my instances of budget glamour, we can create a community of people who are budget minded while making it look good in the process! Who knows? Maybe we’ll inspire others along the way!